Impressions of Manila

• October
• 9

8:18 am Chit-chat, Updates

It’s been quiet here on the Footprints blog as I have been on the Editors Conference in the Philippines, with only limited internet access; and since I’ve been back, I’ve been dealing with a bit of “traveller’s tummy”. The spirit has been willing, but the flesh has been weak!

I’m sure my adventures in Asia will provide enough fodder for many blog posts, so I thought I’d start by sharing my impressions of Manila. Keep in mind that my only previous trips abroad have been to New Zealand (which is practically another state of Australia!), and a one day visit to New Caledonia and Vanuatu as part of a Pacific Islands cruise earlier this year, so this is all very new to me!

The Traffic – Manila is a city of 12 or 13 million people, and not surprisingly, the traffic is something else! So much traffic, and they toot their horns constantly. Our hotel room was on the 8th floor and we could hear motorbikes, sirens and other traffic noise all night. Crossing the road was like russian roulette, as not only do the ydrive on the opposite side of the road to Australians, they are all completely crazy drivers! I was fascinated by the pedicabs and colourful jeepneys. Alas, my traveller’s tummy meant that I never got to experience this form of transport for myself.

The Shopping – I was dazzled by the vast array of shopping choices in the one mall we encountered. In particular, the sight of so many shoes in so many styles left me temporarily speechless! Sadly, none were big enough to fit my not-so-dainty size 8 feet. I was also mortified to try on a pair of cute summer pyjamas – for less than $10 AUD - in Size XXXL, only to find they were too snug on my behind! It is perhaps fortunate for my credit card that after that first shopping trip, an attack of traveller’s tummy prevented me from further expeditions …

I have never seen so many shop assistants in my life, and they literally follow you around as you browse. I felt like turning around and yelling, “I am an Aussie, give me my space!!!!” Security is obviously a big deal as our bags were checked even entering the shopping centre.

Philippine Pesos were extremely confusing, I finally worked out that I had to divide any price in Php by 40. Maths has never been my strong point! The shop assistants were extremely patient with us as we muddled our way through the unfamiliar notes and coins, especially when we tried to hand them “sentimos” instead of “pesos”. And I must be getting old, because I needed my glasses to see what denomination each coin was!

The Food - There was certainly an abundance of food served to us in our hotel. Here is the menu from just one day: buffet breakfast, featuring cereal, pastries, rice, bacon, eggs and a variety of Asian dishes. Morning tea was 2 huge donuts sprinkled with sugar but no cinnamon … weird. Lunch was always four courses: okra soup, pasta salad, then roast pork with choko (they call it chayote), cauli, zucchini & carrots and always, a big mound of white rice. That was probably the least Asian meal we had the whole time but it still tasted … well … Asian!  Then a chocolate brownie for dessert, plus iced tea to drink. Afternoon tea is tea or coffee or iced tea or orange juice, and two enormous banana fritters sprinkled with sugar …

That night we ordered room service of just bread and butter as our tastebuds and tummies had been overloaded. Except – the bread was SWEET! Yuk!

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